Calculator for millers  use



(Mode1.)

J. R. HAIGHT & J. M. SEGUR.

GALGULATOR FOR MILLERS USE.

No. 268,221. Patented Nov. 28, 1882.

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l lNiTEn STATES JAMES R. IIAIGHT AND JOSEPH M. SEGUR, OF ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

CALCULATOR FOR MILLERS USE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,221, dated November 28, 1882.

(Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, James 1%. HAIGHT and JOSEPH M. SEGUR, of Adrian, Lenawee county, Michigan, have invented a new and useful calculator especially adapted to the use of millers in buying grain to be paid for in millers produce, though it is equally useful in other similar transactions or computations.

We are aware that mechanical or tabular calculators are common, and we do not propose to claim broadly an instrument of that character; but we are not aware that any tabular calculation arranged on' a spiral curve, possessin g the peculiar properties hereinafter explained, has ever been described heretofore.

The logarithmic spiral being the evolute of a cone, thetangent of the spiral curve bears a constant angle to the radius rector, and therefore possesses a constantly progressive ratio of expansion; but the ratio of expansion will vary with the angle of the tangent to the radius. Hence the arcs included between two radii and the quantities indicated by equal spaces inscribed thereon will also hear a constant ratio to each other. Hence if this spiral be drawn on a proper surface and equally spaced or divided, and said spaces designated by numbers in a progressive series from inner to outer extremity, and two radial lines he made movable over said surface, so as to be adjusted at pleasure, the numbers falling under said lines at their intersections with the several convolutions of the curve will bear a constant ratio. For conveniencein our present purpose we employ a spiral wherein the intervals between any two consecutive, convolutions measured on any given radiusthc line D, for instance-shall be to each other as (3) three is to (5) five.

That others may fully understand our invention, we will more particularly describe it, having reference to the accompanying drawing.

A is the table or disk upon which is described a logarithmic spiral, B. Said disk is for convenience mounted on a pivot atits center, and is provided with a suitable inclosing case or frame, 0, to protect it from unnecessary exposure. The disk maybe made stationary and the frame movable, if for any reason that is preferred but we think the structure shown will be generally preferred. The line B is equally divided throughout itslcngth, and the divisions are properly marked and designated by numbers in a progressive series. We prefer an ordinary decimal division, as shown.

Among niillers it is customary to exchange flour and bran for wheat at a rate determined upon and according to the quality of the wheat, difi'erent millers having different rates. Thus at some mills thirty-nine pounds of flour and ten pounds of bran maybe offered in exchange for one bushel,weighing sixty pounds, of good wheat. lnferior wheat would command less flour and more bran. The object of the present invention is to enable the miller to compute at once the quantity of flour and bran to be weighed out in exchange for a given quantity of wheat at sixty pounds per bushel. We therefore stretch over the dial from the center to rim line D of cord or wire, &c. This lineis stationary. The dial is revolved until the figures denoting the numberof pounds in a bushel of wheat come under said line. Then a second similar line, E, is fixed so as to cross the line B at the ratio number indicating the number of pounds of flour duc to a bushel of wheat. This represents the rate, and is constant for all quantities designated on the table while the angular relation of lines D and E remains unchanged. A third line, F, similar to lines D E, is fixed in the same way, to designate the quantity of bran or other oli'al due. The quantity of bran given per bushel of wheat varies with different millers, but the amount will be in the vicinity of one-third the weight of the flour, and we have heretofore found it convenient to place upon the disk a separate graduation to indicate the bran and make the flour and bran readings in the same region on the line. Otherwise when the wheat and hour readings have descended one-third the length of the spiral the bran readings would have passed the inner terminal of the line and be lost. The graduations and numerals we place on the inner side of the spiral, therefore, to designate the bran quantities.

Upon the rim of the inclosing-case G we place permanent marks Gr, indicating the proper positions of the lines E F, the different rates determining the radial angle, and, in connection with said marks, we fix clips H, for the ready attachment of the cords which constitute the lines.

From the above description it will be easy'to add graduations for other products or for other purposes, and it will be easy also to adapt the instrument to other similar transactions and the computing of any ratio or per cent.

In order to avoid any apparent misunderstanding ofour invention by reason ofa merely formal departure from its appearance to the eye,it will be stated that the logarithmic spiral is the natural basis of the desired series, although it is apparent the visual location of the several numbers may by radial projection be arranged upon a line or lines of any other figure. In that case, however, the unequal spacing will be at once apparent.

It is to be understood thatthelegal weight of a bushel of wheat is sixty pounds, and that the actual computation effected by our calculator is the reduction of the given weight of wheat into bushels, the divisor being 60, and the multiplication ot' the dividend by the rate of flour per bushel, so that the quantities read against the lines E F are the multiples of bushels. By way of example, suppose a farmer brings to mill a quantity of wheat, which, being placed upon the scales, is found to weigh three hundred pounds. The miller then rotates the disk A until the figures denoting 300 rest under the line D, and he then reads under the line E 195, indicating the quantity of flour due to five bushels of wheat at thirty-nine pounds per bushel. In like manner he reads under the line F the quantity of bran to be exchanged with the flour. In this case the ratio is, as

sixty is to thirty-nine, so is the given weight of wheat to the required weight of flour, and, as hereinbefore set forth, this ratio may be changed by changing the position of thelineE.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new is 1. Acalculatorforcomputingquantitieshaving fixed ratio relations, consisting of a disk having inscribed upon it a logarithmic spiral graduated, and said graduations consecutively numbered,combined with two radial indexlines indicating said ratio relation, said index-lines being relatively movable around the axis of spiral.

2. A rotating disk, A, havinginscrihed upon ita logarithmic spiral, B, provided with equal graduations, consecutively numbered, combined with an inclosing rim or case, 0, and radial index-lines D G, substantially as set forth.

3. Acalculator for computations ofquantities having fixed ratio relations,consisting of disk A, having inscribed upon it a logarithmic spiral equally divided, and said divisions consecutively numbered to denote quantities of wheat, flour, and ofi'al, combined with an inclosing frame or case, a permanent radial index-line, l), movable index-lines E and F, and clips H, suitably placed on said rim, whereby said movable index-lines may be adjusted at pleasure.

4. Adisk or table, A, inscribed with a spiral, 13, provided with graduations and figures denoting quantities of wheat and flour, and other graduations and figures designating quantities of bran or ot't'al, an inclosing case or rim, and a permanent radial index-line, D, combined with movable index-lines and clips H, whereby positions of said movable index-lines may be changed at will.

JAMES R. HAIGHT. JOSEPH M. SEGUR.

Witnesses:

WALLAoE WEs'rERMAN, G. W. WEsrEaMAN. 

